Does woody species with contrasting root architecture require different container size in nursery?

Small containers used in seedlings production of tree species with different root architecture can result in serious constraints for root growth and unsuitable plant quality, with potential impacts on field performance. We compare responses of root morphology to changes in container size and shape in both deep-rooting (Acacia caven) and shallow-rooting (Baccharis linearis) species, both commonly used in active restoration plans in central Chile. For both species, seedlings were cultivated in four different PVC container-types varying in size (440 mL and 880 mL) and shape ([10, 20, 35, and 45] cm in length), and a control treatment that consists in the commonly container-type used in Chilean nurseries (440 mL black polyethylene bag). Seedlings were cultivated for one growing season under controlled conditions and a set of above- and belowground morphological parameters were evaluated. A second short experiment was performed afterwards to evaluate potential seedling quality through the root growth potential (RGP) test. Results showed that an increase in container volume differently affected morphological parameters of A. caven and B. linearis seedlings. The control treatment had high presence of spiral roots for the deep-rooting species, restricting normal root growth. For both species, elongated containers (>35 cm) produced seedlings with smaller shoots with longer root systems and without deformations in the taproot or main root. Elongated containers also restarted growth of new roots more deeply in the container as result of the RGP test. We concluded that contrasting root architecture of native species require different container size in nursery to promote an adequate root development and growth.

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Field performance potential of interior spruce seedlings: effects of stress treatments and prediction by root growth potential and needle conductance

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x94-076 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 576-586 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

David G. Simpson ◽

C.F. Thompson ◽

Craig D. Sutherland

Keyword(s):

Low Temperature ◽

Root Growth ◽

Cultural History ◽

Field Performance ◽

Stem Diameter ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Stem Volume ◽

High Survival ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Interior Spruce

Root growth potential (RGP) and needle conductance to water vapour (Gn) of container-grown interior spruce (Piceaglauca–(Moench) Voss Piceaengelmannii Parry complex) seedlings that had been subjected to mechanical (dropping), low-temperature (−15 °C), or heat (35 °C) stresses were determined prior to planting on two forest sites. Field performance measured as survival, height, stem diameter, stem volume, and mean stem volume relative growth rate (RGR) was assessed for each of the 4 years following planting. RGP, Gn, and field performance did not differ between mechanically stressed and nonstressed seedlings. Low temperature and heat stresses reduced RGP, Gn, and field performance of some batches of seedlings, indicating that stock lots with different nursery cultural history had substantially different stress resistance. RGP and Gn were correlated with field performance such that for RGP greater than five new roots per seedling, high (>80%) survival and to a lesser extent greater growth occurred, whereas for RGP less than five new roots per seedling, survival and growth were unpredictable. High survival and better growth occurred for stock lots having Gn > 50 mmol•m−2•s−1, while for Gn < 50 mmol•m−2•s−1, survival decreased. Preplanting stress effects on growth were small and due to RGR reductions in the first field season, which are projected to result in a time delay of 1 year or less in trees reaching a height of 150 cm and a stem diameter of 3.5 cm.

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Predicting field performance of Douglas-fir seedlings: comparison of root growth potential, vigor and plant moisture stress

New Forests ◽

10.1007/bf00118754 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 153-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Douglas D. McCreary ◽

Mary L. Duryea

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Field Performance ◽

Moisture Stress ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Plant Moisture

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Planting stock performance: Site and RGP effects

The Forestry Chronicle ◽

10.5558/tfc71739-6 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 739-742 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

David G. Simpson ◽

Alan Vyse

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Picea Glauca ◽

Pinus Contorta ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Field Performance ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

South Central ◽

Interior Spruce

Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii var glauca (Beissn.) Franco], interior spruce [Picea glauca Moench (Voss), Picea engelmannii (Parry) and their naturally occurring hybrids] and lodge-pole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) seedlings were planted on several forest sites in south central British Columbia. At planting, root growth potential (number of newly elongated roots longer than 10 mm per seedling) was determined. Trees were assessed for survival and height for at least five years. Survival of Douglas-fir and growth of all three species was affected by planting site, probably reflecting moisture and growing season temperature differences among sites. High (> 70%) survival, but not total height or mean annual relative growth rate was associated with root growth potential levels greater than 10 new roots per seedling in interior spruce and lodgepole pine. Survival and growth of Douglas-fir were not related to root growth potential. Fertilization of interior spruce seedlings at planting decreased survival 18% over seven growing seasons, and did not affect growth of surviving seedlings. Key words: reforestation, root growth potential, seedling quality, Douglas-fir, interior spruce, lodgepole pine, field performance

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Effects of Air Drying on Survival, Height, and Root Growth Potential of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

Southern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/sjaf/9.2.125 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 125-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Peter P. Feret ◽

Richard E. Kreh ◽

Carolyn Mulligan

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Field Performance ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Growth Potential ◽

First Year ◽

Ambient Conditions ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Air Drying

Abstract Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings were dried by exposure to ambient conditions and their subsequent quality evaluated for both field performance and root-growth potential. Seedling survival after one growing season was diminished 6.9% and first-year height growth 17% for each 10 minutes of exposure out-doors. Root-growth potential was significantly diminished by air drying with the half-life of a seedling ranging from 15 to 35 minutes depending on ambient conditions. A strong relationship between field performance and root-growth potential was shown. Results support earlier research concluding that seedling desiccation must be avoided if seedling quality is to be maintained at the planting site.1

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Chlorophyll fluorescence, root growth potential, and stomatal conductance as estimates of field performance potential in conifer seedlings

New Forests ◽

10.1007/s11056-007-9051-x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 235-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sylvia J. L’Hirondelle ◽

David G. Simpson ◽

Wolfgang D. Binder

Keyword(s):

Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽

Stomatal Conductance ◽

Root Growth ◽

Field Performance ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Performance Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Conifer Seedlings ◽

Field Performance Potential

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The physiological responses of oak seedlings to warm storage

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x05-166 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 35 (10) ◽

pp. 2413-2422 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Raquel Cabral ◽

Conor O'Reilly

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Storage Period ◽

Field Performance ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Pressure Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Xylem Pressure ◽

Xylem Pressure Potential ◽

Root Electrolyte Leakage

The effects of warm storage (15 °C) on the physiological responses and subsequent field performance of 2-year-old oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings that had been cold (12 °C) stored until May were assessed. Shoot xylem pressure potential, shoot water content, shoot tip dry mass, root electrolyte leakage, and root growth potential were evaluated at regular intervals during the 21-day warm storage period. The date of lifting to cold storage had little effect on the physiological responses to warm storage. Root electrolyte leakage increased after 7 days of storage, despite the fact that root growth potential and survival were unaffected. Values then increased further before decreasing again by the end of the 21-day storage period to values similar to those recorded after 0 or 7 days of storage. Storage for up to 21 days greatly reduced root growth potential and shoot quality after planting in the field. The shoot xylem pressure potential of seedlings declined during the early stage of warm storage, but then increased to values similar to those recorded after cold storage. Shoot water content increased during the early storage period, then declined slightly, but values were higher after 21 days of storage than at the time of placement in warm storage. While most physiological responses fluctuated in a consistent manner, these changes were not necessarily predictable. Root growth potential was a good indicator of plant field performance potential, but the other physiological parameters were less useful to this end.

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Relationship between root growth potential and field performance in Aleppo pine

Annals of Forest Science ◽

10.1051/forest:2007031 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

pp. 541-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Antonio D. Del Campo ◽

Rafael M. Navarro-Cerrillo ◽

Javier Hermoso ◽

Antonio J. Ibáñez

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Field Performance ◽

Aleppo Pine ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential

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Root System Fibrosity of Sitka Spruce Transplants: Relationship with Root Growth Potential

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1093/forestry/63.1.1-a ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

J. D. DEANS ◽

C. LUNDBERG ◽

M. G. R. CANNELL ◽

M. B. MURRAY ◽

L. J. SHEPPARD

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Root System ◽

Sitka Spruce ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Root Growth Potential

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Root Growth Potential and Microsite Effects on Conifer Seedling Establishment in Northern Idaho

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12050597 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 597

Author(s):

Jacob A. Reely ◽

Andrew S. Nelson

Keyword(s):

Root Growth ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Seedling Quality ◽

Growth Potential ◽

Larix Occidentalis ◽

Root Growth Potential ◽

Western Larch ◽

Neighborhood Conditions ◽

Seedling Performance ◽

Survival And Growth

Environmental conditions and seedling quality interact to produce complex patterns of seedling survival and growth. Root growth potential (RGP) is one metric of seedling quality that can be rapidly measured prior to planting, but the correlation of RGP and seedling performance is not consistent across studies. Site factors including microsite objects that cast shade and competing vegetation can also influence seedling performance. We examined the effects of RGP, presence/absence of a microsite object, and competition cover on the survival and growth of three native conifers to the Inland Northwest, USA, over 5 years. We found that RGP had no effect on the survival or growth of western larch (Larix occidentalis), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca), and grand fir (Abies grandis) at a mesic north aspect site and a xeric south aspect site. Comparatively, the presence of a microsite increased the odds of survival by 37% for western larch and 158% for grand fir, while the absence of forb cover increased the odds of survival of western larch by 72% and of grand fir by 26%. Douglas fir was less sensitive to microsites and competition. The strong effects of neighborhood conditions around seedlings help inform silvicultural practices to enhance the establishment of western larch and grand fir, including planting seedlings near shading objects and competition control, while these practices may not be as important for Douglas fir.

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